WAR CIRCUS: EUGEN SANDOW (English/Italian)

Eugen Sandow, Victorian Strongman

Eugen Sandow was a naturalized British subject and strongman. He was famous for developing fitness regimes and at the outset of war he had various enterprises. The narrative here is extracted from his biography: The Perfect man. Muscular life and times of Eugen Sandow, Victorian strongman. by David Waller. Victorian Sectrets, 2011. ( ref W D)

c. AUG 1914

EUGENE SANDOW NEWS.

As a proud and loyal British citizen I have offered my help train up the youth of the country, as I did in the Boer war. I am on a renewed mission to make men of the thousands who are below the physical standard for His Majesty’s Army. “At my Institute there is every facility for the rebuilding of manhood…. It is just as patriotic to fight your own illness as to fight the Germans.”

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: W, D

c. MARCH 1915

EUGENE SANDOW NEWS.

I have a new commercial venture, I am manufacturing spring exercise dolls for children. And at the institute we are going to train up 18- 20 children to give synchronized demonstrations. Hélène my daughter is the first president National Doll league, which we have set up to promote the dolls. The initial profits from the sale of these devices will go to the Red Cross. But I have had to close down the Sandow Corset company.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: W D

c. JUNE 1915

EUGENE SANDOW NEWS.

I am pleased to report that I have won my high court libel case, that Sandow Chocolate is not made in Germany. Mr. Mosely, a former merchant of my wares, is completely wrong, and an immensely serious allegation that my product is manufactured by the arch-enemy.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: W D

SANDOW KILLED AS SPY.

Sandow Reported Killed. A special dispatch from Los Angeles, Cal., states that Eugene Sandow, the strong man, was executed, last June (1915), in the Tower of London, as a German spy. Sandow was well known on this side, having played all the principal vaudeville houses as well as appearing at the head of his own companies.

1/1/1916 New York Clipper

c. JAN 1916

EUGEN SANDOW NEWS.

There have been rumors that I have been shot as a German spy at the Tower. My solicitor, Mr Guildford Lewis, has helped me and my wife to issue a statement to rebut these slanders. He can attest that I have not been shot and Mrs Sandow has not been imprisoned. I would like to state that I am a naturalized British subject. I appeal to your readers to assist me in dispelling this cruel rumour and to trace it to it’s origin. It is all very distressing to my family.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: W D

THE TRUTH ABOUT SPYS AND THE TOWER.

All German Spies tried and sentenced under the various Defense of the Realm regulations are held and will be executed by firing squad at the Tower of London. The executions take place at the miniature rifle range, or occasionally in the Tower’s ditch.

War Circus Editors Note

c. JUNE 1916

EUGENE SANDOW NEWS.

I have to announce with regret that on 27th June 1916 my business Sandow Ltd, the holding company for all my business affairs has been compulsorily wound up, with a total deficit of £27,857. The main reason was due to the non-delivery of corsets (made by nuns in Belgium & France) due to the war. Further to this in July the Sandow Cocoa and Chocolate Company has collapsed, with a deficit of £351,792 10s and 4d.

c. JULY 1918

EUGENE SANDOW NEWS.

All through the last few years my Curative Institute continued to trade and I was able to buy back Sandow Ltd form the receivers. But things have been a trial, I have had constant litigation to deal with and had to see the family suffer, especially Hélène as the doors to show-business closed for her as have the saloon and National Doll League.

But I have been writing and will soon publish a book on the Sandow System.